Best Places to Stay in the Lofoten Islands | Updated for 2024

Take your pick from rorbuers (fisherman cabins that have been converted into small apartments), hotels, hostels, and campsites.

Not only do you have to choose what kind of accommodation to stay in, you also have to decide where to stay. The Lofoten Islands are a large area and it takes several hours to drive from one side to the other. Your options include larger towns like Svolvaer or Leknes, picture perfect Reine or Hamnøy, or a number of smaller towns in between.

A Quick Overview of the Lofoten Islands

The Lofoten Islands are a wonderland of jagged mountains, white sandy beaches, and beautiful fjords. Fishing is a way of life here, and as tourism explodes, many of the fishing cabins are being converted into accommodations for travelers, called a rorbu.

The Lofoten Islands stretch from the southern tip of Hinnøya all of the way to the southern tip of Moskenesøya. Many of the best things to do on the Lofoten Islands are located between Svolvaer and the tiny town of Å.

The Lofoten Islands are located in the Arctic Circle, but due to the warm Gulf Stream current, temperatures may be warmer than you would expect for an area located so far north. The northern lights can be see from September until April. From late May to mid-July, you can experience the midnight sun. The Lofoten Islands make a great year-round destination.

We visited the Lofoten Islands in early July. The sun never set and we had a wide range of weather conditions in the five days we were here. The weather started off amazing, with bright, sunny skies and unusually warm temperatures. The following two days, clouds moved in and the temperatures dropped to 16°C (60°F). During our last two days, it rained almost all day, keeping is indoors and postponing our flight off of the islands. So, be prepared for a wide range of weather conditions while you are here.

Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

The main towns of Svolvaer, Leknes, and Reine all make great places to stay. There are also some wonderful small towns and fishing villages to choose from.

There are a few things to consider when choosing where to stay in the Lofoten Islands. The larger towns of Svolvaer and Leknes will have a lot of dining options and are accessible by airplane. The smaller towns like Reine, Hamnøy, and Å are more charming and picturesque.

You will also need to consider driving distances between towns. If you stay in the far southern or northeastern part of the Lofoten Islands, you will be driving more to get to the sights (although that’s not a bad thing…around every bend is another gorgeous view and I doubt you will get tired of it).

In our Lofoten Islands Itinerary, we list the best towns to stay in for each day of the itinerary. For a short visit to the Lofoten Islands (3 or less days), it is best to stay in one location, ideally in a centrally located town, such as Leknes. If you have 4 or more days on the Lofoten Islands, you have the option to stay in two locations. You will check in and out of one additional hotel, but this can save you a considerable amount of driving time and allow you to experience two different areas of the Lofoten Islands.

Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands: Our Recommendations

Before we get into the details of the best locations in the Lofoten Islands and the best hotels in the Lofoten Islands, here is a quick overview of our top picks of where to stay in the Lofoten Islands. After this section, we list the pros and cons of each town with a longer list of properties to choose from. 

As far as location goes, staying in Reine or Hamnøy is our first pick. It’s hard to beat the scenery here, and with a wide range of accommodations to choose from, not to mention access to restaurants and a grocery store, this is a great place to base yourself.

However, if you planning a quick visit to the Lofoten Islands, Leknes has a prime location since it is centrally located.

If you want the classic rorbuer experience in this area, consider Eliassen Rorbuer or Reinefjorden Sjøhus in Hamnøy, or Sakrisøy Rorbuer in Reine. If you are a budget traveler, consider Sakrisøy Gjestegård in Reine or go a little farther down the road to Salteriet Hostel in Å.

If you want to stay somewhere centrally located in the Lofoten Islands that gets rave reviews, consider Rorbu i Lofoten or Lofoten Basecamp (both of these are in Leknes).

If you are a budget traveler, consider Hammerstad Camping in Svolvaer, Sakrisøy Gjestegård in Reine, or Salteriet Hostel in Å.

If we did it again (and I hope we do!), we would stay in both Nyvågar Rorbuhotell and Reinefjorden Sjøhus again. Both were amazing and oh, that view from Reinefjorden Sjohus! However, I’d also be interested in trying Lofoten Basecamp.

And if you are road tripping through the Lofoten Islands, you can stay at more than one place. It may make sense to spend a day or two near Svolvaer and then journey down to Reine and Hamnøy.

Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands: Organized by Location

Svolvaer

Svolvaer is the capital city of the Lofoten Islands. This large town has an airport and a port where you can take a ferry to and from the mainland. Since it is one of the largest towns in the Lofoten Islands, you will have a lot of restaurants to choose from if you stay here.

It is located at the northeastern end of the Lofoten Islands. From here, you’re looking at a 2 hour drive to get to Reine, one of the the area’s most iconic areas, which can be a disadvantage of staying here. However, its airport, long list of hotels and restaurants make it a popular hub for travelers.

Driving Distances

• Svolvaer to Leknes: 70 km, 1.25 hours
• Svolvaer to Reine: 121 km, 2 hours

Svolvaer, seen from Fløya

Anker Brygge

Anker Brygge is a rorbu resort that offers 27 cabins and suites. Located on a small, man-made island, some rooms offer views of the town of Svolvaer. Take your pick from rorbu suites and rooms that accommodate between two and four people. All suites have a patio and a small kitchenette.

Svinøya Rorbuer

This is another property where you can stay in a traditional rorbu. Svinøya Rorbuer is located a short distance outside of Svolvaer, with a beautiful setting between the mountains and the ocean. Take your pick from one-bedroom cottages to a four-bedroom house that can accommodate up to eight people. People who stay here say the view is so beautiful that it is hard to leave.

Lofoten Suiteapartments

Stay in a gorgeous, modern apartment in the center of town. You will be within walking distance of most restaurants in Svolvaer and this property gets glowing reviews by prior guests. These apartments come equipped with a washing machine, a nice perk for those traveling for a long time or if you simply want to refresh your hiking clothes.

Hammerstad Camping

If you are traveling by camper van, plan on camping, or are looking for a highly rated budget accommodation, Hammerstad Camping is worth considering. This property offers a number of cabins that can accommodate two to nine people.

Kabelvåg

Kabelvåg is a very small town located just a few miles down the road from Svolvaer. If you like the idea of staying outside of town, but having a few restaurants nearby, Kabelvåg is a good pick. We spent one night here while road tripping through the Lofoten Islands.

Nyvågar Rorbuhotell

This is where we stayed and we loved it! We spent one night in a rorbu. The first floor had a small kitchen, living area, and bathroom. On the second floor were two bedrooms with two twin beds. The rooms were clean, quiet, and gave us a lot of space to spread out. Onsite is a restaurant and breakfast is included.

Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.

Nyvågar Rorbuhotell | Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

Leknes

Leknes is centrally located in the Lofoten Islands. This is also one of the larger towns in the islands, so you will have all of the perks that come with that, such as restaurants, shopping, and even an airport.

This is one of the best places to stay in the Lofoten Islands if you want a central location. For those with a short stay in the Lofoten Islands (3 or less days) this is the location we recommend, since you can get to either end of the Lofoten Islands in around an hour of driving.

Driving Distances

• Leknes to Reine: 56 km, 1 hour
• Leknes to Svolvaer: 70 km, 1.25 hours

Lofoten Basecamp

This is a gorgeous property located just a few miles away from Leknes. Each villa has three bedrooms that can accommodate up to six people. Every unit comes with a kitchen, a washing machine, and a terrace with a beautiful sea view. This highly rated property tends to sell out fast, so if you’re interested, book it as soon as you know your dates.

Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.

Rorbu i Lofoten

With breathtaking views of the water, a full kitchen, four bedrooms that can accommodate up to 6 people, Rorbu i Lofoten is one of our top picks of best places to stay in the Lofoten Islands. This relatively new property gets exceptional reviews and you are essentially renting an entire house.

Get prices, read reviews, and see it in photos on Booking.com.

Scandic Leknes Lofoten

This hotel is located in the town of Leknes. Prices here are more budget friendly than staying in a rorbuer. Plus, this hotel is conveniently located near the airport, perfect if you are using the Leknes Airport to fly in or out of the Lofoten Islands.

Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.

Nusfjord

Nusfjord is one of the best preserved fishing villages in the Lofoten Islands. It’s located a bit out of the way, which can be a good or a bad thing, depending upon your travel style.

Driving Distances

• Nusfjord to Reine: 41 km, 50 minutes
• Nusfjord to Leknes: 27 km, 30 minutes
• Nusfjord to Svolvaer: 92 km, 1.5 hours

Nusfjord Arctic Resort

Nusfjord Arctic Resort is more than just a collection of restored fisherman’s cabins. It’s a historic property, with a restaurant, a pub, and a small museum. This is a tourist attraction, so there will be people who visit the property during the daytime. If you don’t like the idea of having a bunch of tourists milling about outside your door, this isn’t the place for you. However, if you like the idea of staying on a historic property, check it out. If you choose not to stay here, you can still visit it during the daytime, like we did.

Stay in one of the renovated fisherman’s cabins that can accommodate up to four people. Nusfjord Rorbuer has a beautiful setting, tucked away on a fjord amidst the rocky mountains.

Nusfjord Arctic Resort | Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

Reine & Hamnøy

Reine is one of the most popular spots to visit in the Lofoten Islands. With its collection of red and yellow fishing cabins on the water and the backdrop of the Lofoten mountains, it is one of the most picturesque spots on the Lofoten Islands.

There are a lot of hotels to choose from, as well as several restaurants and there is a grocery store in town. If you plan to hike Reinebringen, staying in a property on the west side of town puts you within walking distance of the trailhead (parking for the Reinebringen hike can be challenging!).

Hamnøy is a small fishing village located right next to Reine. This is where we stayed and we had a wonderful experience.

Since everyone road trips down here at some point, Reine and Hamnøy can get very busy midday. But by 5 pm, most of the day-trippers are gone and Reine and Hamnøy are quiet again. So, another advantage of staying in these towns is enjoying the peacefulness and the views at the beginning and end of your days.

We loved it here. We loved how quiet and peaceful it felt in the evenings. It was wonderful walking to dinner, taking in the views, and hearing the seagulls (there are a lot of noisy seagulls here!).

Driving Distances

• Hamnøy/Reine to Leknes: 52 km, 1 hour
• Hamnøy/Reine to Svolvaer: 116 km, 2 hours

Reine and Hamnøy seen from Reinebringen

Reinefjorden Sjøhus

This is where we stayed and it was wonderful. We stayed in a two-bedroom apartment, which is really a two-level cabin with a kitchen and a living area. The view from the living room was AMAZING! We could look across the water to Sakrisøy and Reine and see Reinebringen in the background. My only complaint is that they do not have black out curtains, so with the midnight sun, I did find it difficult to sleep. That’s easy to fix by bringing along a sleeping mask. But without a doubt, we would stay here again.

Reinefjorden Sjøhus | Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

View from our room | Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

Take your pick from a traditional hotel room, superior and standard apartments, a deluxe waterfron cabin, or a 6-bedroom house which can accommodate up to 12 people. We stayed in the ‘Superior Apartment with View.’

Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.

Eliassen Rorbuer

This is the most iconic property on the Lofoten Islands…the red fishing cabins set against a backdrop of Reinefjord and the Lofoten mountains. And guess what, you can stay here! Take your pick from 35 renovated fishing cabins. The cabins can accommodate two to four people and some offer a sea view.

Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.

Eliasson Rorbuer | Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

Reine Rorbuer

This is another classic rorbuer property located in Reine. Take your pick from one-bedroom, two-bedroom, and three-bedroom cottages. Onsite is Gammelbua, a restaurant that serves traditional Norwegian food.

Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.

Sakrisøy Rorbuer

This is another highly rated property that offers the classic rorbuer experience in the heart of Reine. One and two-bedroom cottages are available and the cottages offer a terrace overlooking the water. Sakrisøy Rorbuer tends to sell out fast so make your reservations as soon as you know your dates.

Sakrisøy Rorbuer | Where to Stay in the Lofoten Islands

Sakrisøy Gjestegård

This is a restored manor house in Reine. The guesthouse has 10 rooms that share a living area and kitchen. Some rooms share a bathroom and the deluxe rooms have a private bathroom and flat screen TV’s.

Get prices, read reviews, and see photos on Booking.com.

Å i Lofoten

The tiny town with the tiny name of Å (pronounced aw) marks the southernmost point of the Lofoten Islands, at least what is accessible by car. There’s not much more here than some houses, a great bakery, and a Norwegian fishing museum. However, there is a great budget friendly place to stay.

Rorbuers in Å

There are two rorbuers in Å that get exceptional reviews: Å Rorbuer and Å-Hamna Rorbuer. Both of these sit in the center town and have wonderful seaside views of the other rorbuers that sit on the water’s edge.

Hostels in Å

Traveling on a budget? There are two highly rated hostels in Å. Salteriet has a prime location right on the water. The Lofoten Å HI Hostel offers dormitory style rooms plus private double rooms.

If you are planning a trip to the Lofoten Islands and have questions about where to stay in the Lofoten Islands, let us know in the comment section below.

More Information for Your Trip to Norway and the Lofoten Islands:

BEST OF THE LOFOTEN ISLANDS: For an overview of the best things to do, read our Lofoten Islands Top Ten List. Great hikes in the Lofoten Islands include Ryten, Reinebringen, Festvagtind, and Svolvaer Floya. For a big adventure, climb Svolvaergeita for one of the most unique experiences in the Lofoten Islands. 

NORTHERN NORWAY ITINERARY: On this 10 day Norway itinerary, road trip through Senja and the Vesteralen Islands, two beautiful off the beaten path destinations, and visit the Lofoten Islands.

BEST OF NORWAY ITINERARY: In this guide, we share two different ways to plan a 10 day trip that includes both the Lofoten Islands and southern Norway.

SVALBARD: Plan the perfect visit to Svalbard with our Svalbard Travel Guide. We also have articles about the best things to do in Longyearbyen, what to pack for Svalbard in the summer, and how much does it cost to visit Svalbard?

For more information on how to plan your trip, visit the Visit Norway website.

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